Valiant's Companion

Each winter we look for a mare that would be a good companion for Valiant. It can't be a wimpy mare as he can be a bully but it also can't be a kicker or dangerous mare.  Both Karin and I came to the conclusion Galena is perfect. All the horses are afraid of her but it isn't because she kicks. She is just so large, pins her ears and they all move off. This afternoon we determined we would try the two together. First though Karin had work to do.  She pulled Oksana out first. Of course Oksana did well. Karin kept commenting, when they reach this stage they are just so much fun to ride!

 Galena was next and today there was NO bad behavior. She walked into the arena happy, Karin asked for a canter right off down the long side and she happily cantered. No bucking, no biting.  

 The last mare worked was Tory and she too did awesome.  

 The mares were let out into the pond pasture as the sun was out and the rain done until tomorrow.  They enjoyed feasting on that still green grass. 

 We went in for lunch about then. After lunch we were going to give all the weanlings their first round of shots but I found I was one short. We decided to skip Isla, Madiera's filly as that one is not sold. The rest were brought into the barn one at a time, given grain and then given the 5 way vaccine.  The only foal that even flinched at all was Jewel's filly. She is just so smart but even with the flinch I know she got the entire syringe full.  Each foal was led back to the paddock except Zalena's colt. I wanted to see him move since the farrier was out a couple days ago.  He was taken to the outdoor arena.  He is still a little short on one of his back legs.  He got kicked a few months back. 

 Dr. Hoerr felt it was nothing to worry about and that he would heal, we just need to give him time, but we are out of time. His owner is coming to pick him up next week.  Now for the record the owner has been told everything about this colt and is not making the trip to just pick him up. He is also buying Lily's colt and if he doesn't want Zalena's colt after seeing him move, he doesn't have to take Zalena's colt.  We will keep him until next year just to make sure he is completely healed.  These colts just get better with age. Check out the picture of  Eli, Eliza's orphaned colt and then at a year old by looking at the pictures below.

Amazing how much a colt will change in a year! Once we were done with Zalena's colt Karin took Valiant  out. She wanted to take him on the drives down to Joan's house but wanted someone to go with her on the golf cart just in case he gave her any trouble.  She rode him first in the indoor just to make sure he was listening then off we went down the drive. 

 The sugar maple is a beautiful yellow and I asked Karin to take Valiant under that tree for a picture then didn't make sure his face was out of the leaves. That's why I'm NOT the photographer in the family. Rachel would have known instantly. 

There was one scary item on the drive. That big oak tree Spark took down yesterday. Big big chunks of that were on the side of the road both sides. After checking it out Valiant realized it really wasn't that scary and off they went. 

 Karin rode him all the way over to Joan's where Mark was installing the last of the inverters. 

 She let Valiant graze a bit on their lawn while I took a couple pictures of mom's place across the lake from Joan's. Her burning bush is almost all the way red. 

 The colors reflecting off the lake were really gorgeous. The camera just doesn't do it justice. 

 On the way back to the barn Valiant heard the new mare calling for him and had to strike a pose but still the colors look a little washed out.  Probably something to do with the bright sunlight. 

 As soon as we returned, Karin untacked Valiant and put him in his paddock. I brought Galena into the field then Karin opened the gate. He came out prancing. 

pranced his way right over to Galena. She didn't break her grazing, just lifted her leg a little, pinned her ears and Valiant backed off. 

 He looked back at us as if to ask, "what am I suppose to do NOW?"

 He walked away and had a good roll. They are both out grazing and Valiant is keeping his distance. 

Hopefully soon she will let him graze next to her. We would like to take him out on the trails with Galena soon. Mom, Joan and the kids got home from Branson this afternoon. Mark picked up mom to take her to the fellowship hall for the AC Home auction.  I'm staying home again as I'm still coughing. They have orders to bring me home some of that famous potato soup.